2:09:06 – the third fastest Linz time ever run.
Merhawi Kesete from Eritrea wins in optimal running conditions in a time of 2:09:06, delivering the third fastest Linz time ever run. Merhawi Kesete from Eritrea wins the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon with 2:09:06, improving Edwin Koch's winning time from 2016 by 1 second but failing to break the course record set by Ukraine's Alexander Kuzin in 2007. Kesete, who was competing for the first time in Linz, immediately took his chance to win in the elite field. He crossed the finish line ahead of Felix Chemonges from Uganda (2:09:19) and the Kenyan Nicholas Rotich (2:11:24). A total of around 19,400 participants from almost 80 nations made the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon a joint running festival for all sports enthusiasts in windless temperatures around 7°. A loose cloud cover, no wind and temperatures around 7° provided optimal conditions for the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon Sunday morning in the Upper Austrian capital. Exactly 19,382 running enthusiasts from nearly 80 nations took to the starting line and made Linz the center of running. Supported by the running fire "LIMA", the Linz Marathon mascot, and more than 100,000 spectators, the starting shots for a total of 6 events were fired on the Linz voest freeway bridge between 8:00 and 9:30 am. Merhawi Kesete from Eritrea is the first to reach the finish line on Linz's main square after 2:09:06. With the third-best time run in Linz, he eclipses Edwin Koech's winning time from 2016 by 1 second. However, Kesete is unable to break the Linz course record from 2007. Winner Kesete: "It was optimal running conditions. I am very satisfied with my first appearance in Linz. It was optimal preparation and perfect support here in Linz. I am very happy about my victory here. The crowd was just great." His opponent Felix Chemonges from Uganda could not stop Kesete. Chemonges takes second place in an impressive time of 2:09:19 Third in the marathon competition is Kenyan Nicholas Rotich, with a time of 2:11:24. Best Austrian in 10th place is Thomas Roach in a time of 2:24:06.
Cornelia Moser dominates in the women's race
The 2019 marathon winner is Cornelia Moser. She proves her strength in an impressive time of 2:40:03 and takes 3 marathon titles with her run over the finish line: Salzburg State Champion, State Champion Marathon and 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon winner. Moser: "It was my hardest marathon so far. I am very happy with my victory, the atmosphere here in Linz is simply unique." Second place went to an old Linz acquaintance. Frequent runner Karin Freitag finished in 2:44:11 followed by Croatian Nikolina Stepan in 2:46:53.
Marathon state championship with strong participation
The state championship field has not been as large and crowded as this year for a long time. "I am very happy that this year we can host the Marathon State Championships in Linz in addition to a high participation in running. This has a top turnout of around 188 athletes and can boast a 50 percent higher participation than that of 2018. Linz is thus the second-largest marathon national championship ever held. Of course, we are particularly pleased about this," says Thomas Ziegler, Managing Director of LIVA and Managing Director of the Design Center. Thomas Roach, a native of England, who has lived in Austria since 2005 and has been a regular participant in Austrian competitions for the past 6 years, won the state championship title in a personal best time of 2:24:06. Roach: "I am really very proud. This is my personal best time. With such a great atmosphere, the audience literally carries you to the finish line." Second is the Upper Austrian Christian Kresnik from LAC Amateure Steyr (2:24:32) followed by Robert Gruber, Kolland Topsport Gaal (2:31:34). In the women's race, the triple winner (Salzburg marathon national champion, national marathon champion, winner of the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon) Cornelia Moser finished in 2:40:03, followed by Karin Freitag in 2:44:11 and third-placed Sarah Riffel in 2:51:18.
Austrians win the half marathon
First place in the race over the half marathon distance of 21.097 kilometers was taken by Christian Robin from Villach in the time of 1:08:20, clearly winning ahead of 2018 half marathon winner Endris Seid from Gmunden who finished in 1:09:00. Robin says about his victory: "Endris really challenged me today. But my level was great, the conditions were optimal, I am very satisfied. Especially the last 1000 meters were awesome, the crowd was a hit." Third place goes to Upper Austrian Manfred Steger from Vöcklamarkt in 1:12:14. Best lady is French Lotifa Mokhtori with 1:18:51, followed by South Tyrolean teacher Kathrin Hanspeter (1:19:14). Third place goes to Conny Köpper from Lower Austria with 1:23:47.
Anita Baierl and Jan Maccoun in the lead in the quarter marathon
Anita Baierl takes first place in a time of 38:08. Second place goes to Bernadette Schuster with 38:16 ahead of Bettina Hötzenegger with 41:00. "I got into the race well, had loose legs. It was still a neck and neck race with Bernadette, she was clearly ahead at the start. I'm really happy that I could still do a super finish sprint. I am very satisfied with my time", says Anita Baierl about her further Linz victory. In the men's race the Czech Jan Maccoun won with 34:09 ahead of Johannes Pell from Steyr (35:52) and Martin Pötz, also from Steyr with 35:57.
Thomas Frühwirth wins again in the handbikers' race
A thrilling match in the half marathon competition of the handbikers is expected between double world champion (2013, 2014) and Olympic champion (2012) Walter Ablinger from RSC Heindl OÖ and the world's best triathlete Thomas Frühwirth from SU Tri Styria: In the half marathon of the handbikers Frühwirth wins in the time of 30:21, second place goes to Florian Brungrabner with 32:35 followed by Walter Ablinger with 33:21. The performance of Maximilian Taucher from Vorarlberg, who was only born in 2007, is also extraordinary. He is the youngest handcyclist in the adult field and reaches the finish line in eleventh place after a time of 49:13.
Other notable individual performances
Year 2012 is the youngest participant on Sunday and ran the quarter marathon, year 1936 the oldest participant (quarter marathon) and year 1944 the oldest participant in the marathon competition. With 456 runners = 114 relay teams of 4 persons each the Landjugend OÖ went to the start. 433 comrades took part in the "Fire Brigade Runs" campaign, spread over all the competitions. 1,600 pupils and teachers took part in the "School runs" campaign, which has been running for 15 years. Hotel Guglwald provided more than 1,000 people and thus the largest private running group. The LINZ AG quarter marathon was the event with the largest number of participants, with over 6,400 entries. Impressive was the participation of Heinrich Pilch, Wolfgang Tronegger, Heinz Jagemann, Ewald Eder, Klaus Nöckler and Alois Grillneder. They started as Super Golden Runners and have already run all 17 previous Linz Marathons over the full distance. One Golden Runner in particular stood out: Herbert Orlinger has already finished 168 marathons in his running life!
Mayor of Linz as start runner in the relay team
Apart from the many best performances in the events, the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon once again inspires as a great sports festival, which provides the opportunity to connect hobby running enthusiasts with top world-class athletes. This ensures unique moments and emotions for all participants. Linz Mayor Klaus Luger, who was the starting runner in the relay (1:02:58), says: "The Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon has once again thrilled crowds this year. Not only the runners gave top performances, but also the spectators along the course. The atmosphere was great again. The right mix is what makes Linz so successful and brings the crowds to the city. Linz is uncomplicated and service-oriented, which makes Linz so popular with athletes. As a start runner in the relay, I was able to see this for myself. All in all, the Linz Marathon has become a celebration for the entire city and it's hard to imagine Linz without it. My thanks go to all the helpers who took care of the runners' physical and sporting well-being as well as safety."
19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon on 05 April 2020
Satisfied, relaxed faces after the race also among the organizing team: LIVA Board Director Mag. Thomas Ziegler says: "The work of our small team in recent years has been characterized by adapting our internal organizational structure to the enormous increase in the number of participants. We can be justifiably proud of this year's great event. The winning time was impressive. The third best time ever run in Linz is remarkable. I am confident that the work with our young, powerful group can be continued successfully in the coming years." "From logistics to weather to external conditions, such as this year's construction site at the start on the voest bridge, the challenges are of course always great. But when the last runner reaches the finish line healthy and in one piece and you see the happy faces of all the people, you know it was more than worth the effort," says Linz Marathon organizer Ewald Tröbinger, who is also already looking forward to next year. Speaking of which, the date for the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon has already been set for Sunday, April 5, 2020.
To the registration 2020
About the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon
What began in 2002 with 5,000 sports enthusiasts has long since grown into Upper Austria's largest running event. With around 20,000 participants and 100,000 spectators from almost 80 nations, the freshly crowned 7-time "Marathon of the Year" in Austria now also represents a significant economic factor and tourism magnet with thousands of overnight stays in the region every year. The fast course - course record 2:07:33 by Alexander Kuzin (UKR) in 2007 - past the most beautiful places in the city with the spectacular start in the middle of the voest freeway bridge in the center of Linz make the Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon a popular destination for both professional athletes and hobby sports enthusiasts, who can compete here once a year with the fastest runners in the world. Despite its enormous growth in size, participants still value the Linz Marathon as a running festival with heart and a family feeling. The organizing team attaches great importance to individually tailored service from individuals to large groups, optimal support before and during the competitions and the excellent price/performance ratio that goes with it. The Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon is AIMS certified and classified as a 5 star European Athletics Quality Road Race. 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon Results Photos (c) Klaus Mitterhauser, free of charge for follow-up reporting in the context of the 18th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon, attribution requested. Photos and press information For further information: Gerald Kneidinger, MBA, Tel. +43 / 664 / 54 85 067 on behalf of Linz Marathon Organisation, A-4020 Linz, Roseggerstraße 41, Tel. +43 / 732 / 603 412, presse.linzmarathon@liva.linz.at
